10 days in Jerusalem, waiting for the promise of the Ruach HaKodesh or the Holy Spirit. What did the disciples do after the ascension? How did the disciples relate to the events that were around them, seeing before their very eyes the fulfillment of the prophecies of the ancient prophets?
I would believe that there were many questions that went through their minds, much excitement, and some concern relating to the Romans and what they will do to them. Concern that the local religious authorities might have them put in prison for following Jesus.
The temperatures during this time of year are warming up, but in Jerusalem in the evenings, the breeze is beautiful and keeps you cool. When we open the book of Acts chapter 1 we see an account of several things that took place.
They devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer. 120 believers are in Jerusalem and accounted for. Peter speaks about the need to have someone fill the spot that Judas left open after his death. Two men are chosen according to the requirements that the individual would have followed from John the immerser to the ressurrection of Jesus.
They prayed and then drew lots and the individual chosen was Matthew. The book of Luke 24:53 records that they spent all their time in the Temple courts, praising God.
Jerusalem would begin to see an influx of families again, arriving since Passover to get ready for this festival of Shavuot. Those who had traveled great distances for the Passover festival would have most likely stayed through Shavuot without returning home. The counting up to day 50, would bring an increase in the numbers preparing for this significant festival.
We can reflect on the following in relation to this season of rejoicing. Not only did God gives us His Son for redemption, but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to fullfil. He not only gives us a new heart, but we become the home of God.
"16 Don’t you know that you people are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16
God would fulfil his original desire to reside in relationship with man. The waiting for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit into the lives of indviduals is now available to all. Today, we are waiting, in anticipation again, for the coming of the Messiah.
"19 The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed; 20 for the creation was made subject to frustration — not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it. But it was given a reliable hope 21 that it too would be set free from its bondage to decay and would enjoy the freedom accompanying the glory that God’s children will have. 22 We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth; 23 and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be made sons — that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free." - Romans 8:19-23 - CJB
Over the next 10 days consider what the Spirit is saying to us individually, as families, and in our communities. May the presence of God inside of you reveal his plan. He knows the plans he has for you according to the book of Jeremiah.
Blessings, Todd
"12 Then they returned the Shabbat-walk distance from the Mount of Olives to Yerushalayim. 13 After entering the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. The names of the emissaries were Kefa, Ya‘akov, Yochanan, Andrew, Philip, T’oma, Bar-Talmai, Mattityahu, Ya‘akov Ben-Halfai, Shim‘on “the Zealot,” and Y’hudah Ben-Ya‘akov.
14 These all devoted themselves single-mindedly to prayer, along with some women, including Miryam (Yeshua’s mother), and his brothers.
15 During this period, when the group of believers numbered about 120, Kefa stood up and addressed his fellow-believers:
16 “Brothers, the Ruach HaKodesh spoke in advance through David about Y’hudah, and these words of the Tanakhhad to be fulfilled. He was guide for those who arrested Yeshua — 17 he was one of us and had been assigned a part in our work.”
18 (With the money Y’hudah received for his evil deed, he bought a field; and there he fell to his death. His body swelled up and burst open, and all his insides spilled out. 19 This became known to everyone in Yerushalayim, so they called that field Hakal-D’ma — which in their language means “Field of Blood”). 20 “Now,” said Kefa, “it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his estate become desolate, let there be no one to live in it’;
and ‘Let someone else take his place as a supervisor.’
21 Therefore, one of the men who have been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us, 22 from the time Yochanan was immersing people until the day Yeshua was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
23 They nominated two men — Yosef Bar-Sabba, surnamed Justus, and Mattityahu. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over the work and the office of emissary that Y’hudah abandoned to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they drew lots to decide between the two, and the lot fell to Mattityahu. So he was added to the eleven emissaries. - Acts 1:12 CJB
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